Offensive tackle brings family values to field

By Jacobs Wiggins The Review

September 11, 2007

Newark, DE (CSTV U-WIRE) -- College football players have to learn what it means to be a team player.

For redshirt freshman defensive end Scott von Duyke, sharing the spotlight has never been a problem. As one of 12 children to Tim and Kathy von Duyke, he has grown up with a larger immediate family than most people can fathom.

Born on May 4, 1987 in Newark, Del., von Duyke was the fourth addition to a family that excelled in music, but not in athletics. As a child, von Duyke was not very outgoing.

"He was shy, but obviously very intelligent with strong interests in math and reading," Kathy said.

She is a graduate of the university and has learned how to take care of her own team, as she has successfully home schooled all of her children. However, once he reached the age of 14, von Duyke decided to attend The Tatnall School, a private K-12 school in Wilmington. This is where he began to play sports competitively.

Von Duyke was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and lacrosse at Tatnall. By his sophomore year, von Duyke said he realized collegiate football was not a dream, but a reality.

Six-foot-3-inch, 245-pound von Duyke was redshirted his freshman year and defensive line coach Phil Petitte said von Duyke has showed a lot of potential on the field during the preseason.

"Scott is so valuable because he is able to play defensive end as well as defensive tackle, a rare talent to have at the division one level," Petitte said

Although von Duyke has a lot of responsibilities between school and football, he said he still manages to make it home at least a few times a week and has close relationships with all of his siblings, who range from age four to 27.

His appreciation for sports has rubbed off on some of his younger siblings. Von Duyke's younger brother Peter is currently a sophomore at Tatnall and earned all-conference honors as a freshman defensive end last year. He takes pride in having a large family and coaching his siblings.

"He is only a sophomore and I know he's going to be better than me," von Duyke said of his brother's athletic talent.

A family can be described as a group of people who share common attitudes, interests or goals, von Duyke said. A team can also be described in the same way. The close relationships you make with your teammates can often be similar to those you have with your own family members. "It's like one big family for most guys on the team but I guess for me it's just like a normal family," he said.

Unfortunately, during the preseason, von Duyke suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder that has sidelined him for the entire year. After initially being told he would not be on the playing field, Petitte said, von Duyke was very upset and disappointed.

However, after having shoulder surgery, von Duyke said he is keeping a positive attitude about this season and is working extremely hard in his rehab sessions. He is excited to return fully rehabbed and ready to help his team win.

Von Duyke's role on the team this year has gone from being a player to what coach Petitte described as a big brother to many of the younger defensive linemen on the roster. Von Duyke uses his experience of living in a large family to help out with supporting the team.

"He's like having another coach," Petitte said. "He's going to be a big part of this team in the future."